Alexander Ellice (1743-1805) purchased the 324 square mile, largely undeveloped Seigniory of Villechauvre, commonly called Beauharnois, on July 30, 1795. He also acquired most of the neighbouring townships of Godmanchester and Hinghinbrook. Upon Alexander Ellice's death, his son Edward (1783-1863) inherited the seigniory. The property passed out of the Ellice family in 1866.